Audrey is the Washington Times Homeland Security reporter and she has a handle on this disturbing trend that our former 'Coward in Chief' Bill Clinton started by selling out Port of Long Beach and the Panama canal to the Communist Chinese.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle yesterday threatened a congressional investigation of a deal to give control of six U.S. seaports to an Arab company, while one key Republican said the Bush administration's security reassurances were not adequate. Democrats also are threatening legislation to block foreign governments from operating U.S. ports. "I think we've got to look into this company. I think we've got to ensure ourselves that the American people's national-security interests are going to be protected," said Sen. Evan Bayh, Indiana Democrat. "And frankly, I think the threshold ought to be a little higher for a foreign firm. There can't be a choice between profits and protecting the American people." The classified deal would let Dubai Ports World (DPW) of the United Arab Emirates run ports in New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New Orleans and Miami. London-based Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., which had been running the six ports, was bought last week by the government-owned DPW. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican who appeared on "Fox News Sunday" with Mr. Bayh, called the deal "tone-deaf politically at this point in our history" and agreed that "we certainly should investigate it." "I'm not so sure it's the wisest political move we could have made. Most Americans are scratching their head wondering why this company, from this region, now," Mr. Graham said. "I don't think now is the time to outsource major port security to a foreign-based company." Rep. Peter T. King, New York Republican and chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, told the Associated Press yesterday that the takeover terms are insufficient to guard against terrorist infiltration. "I'm aware of the conditions, and they relate entirely to how the company carries out its procedures, but it doesn't go to who they hire, or how they hire people," Mr. King said. "They're better than nothing, but to me they don't address the underlying conditions, which is how are they going to guard against things like infiltration by al Qaeda or someone else? How are they going to guard against corruption?" Mr. King said. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, whose agency participated in negotiations along with the Justice Department and other administration officials, said he welcomed a review by Congress. "There is a legal process Congress created for a committee to sit and review this. It's Treasury, Commerce, DHS [Department of Homeland Security], FBI is involved, and DoD [Department of Defense] is involved. We look at these transactions," Mr. Chertoff told CNN's "Late Edition." Mr. Chertoff declined on several Sunday political talk shows to address specifics of the deal, including whether it has been finalized. He described the process as "very thorough" and said "necessary conditions or safeguards have to be put into place." "The discussions are classified. I can't get into the specifics here. But what I can tell you in general is this: We examine the transaction; we look at what the issue of the threat is. If necessary, we build in conditions or requirements that, for extra security, would have to be met in order to make sure that there isn't a compromise to national security," Mr. Chertoff said. The Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection are in charge of port security, not port operators, "and you can be sure that any transaction that goes forward is going to be carefully reviewed, and is also going to be carefully subject to the expertise of Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection," Mr. Chertoff said. Sen. Robert Menendez, New Jersey Democrat, cited Mr. Chertoff's remarks as proof that the administration "just does not get it." Sen. Barbara Boxer, California Democrat, agreed, calling the secrecy "ridiculous" and saying she will support legislation "to say no more, no way" to foreign ownership of U.S. ports. "We have to have American companies running our own ports. Our ports are soft targets," Mrs. Boxer said. "Al Qaeda has said if they attack, that's one of the places they're looking." "I don't think we're being overly paranoid. It's very simple to say that our infrastructure has to be protected and let's have American companies do that or the government itself," Mrs. Boxer said. Sen. Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, yesterday called on President Bush personally to "override the agreement and conduct a special investigation into the matter." He was joined at a press conference by some family members of September 11 victims.

So what did we get after we won the Cold War other than Romanian children that now have loving American adoptive parents?

Well, I know what I got and it is too cool!

I got a Romanian rifle. An AK-47 to be exact, which showed up Christmas Day. The Romy rifle is a very close copy of the original Russian design which is no real suprise as Romania was under the boot of the Soviet Union since WW2, until the Romanians had had enough of Communism and ditched the dictator Ceaucesceau. Perhaps 'ditch' is too polite a term. The Romanians forced their way into the Ceaucesceau palace, drug him and his 'Marie Antionette-esq' wife into the street and beat them to death.

Anyhow, my AK-47 is as well manufactured as any AK I've ever seen with the possible exception of a Polish AK.

It seems the Romanians (Poland and Hungary too) are also selling off their old military AKs to American entrepreneurs who are cutting them in half (to satisfy U.S. regulations) and now anyone can own a piece of Cold War history for $100.00 or so. A cottage industry/hobby has now sprung up to restore these ex-military rifles to original configuration with U.S. compliant semi-auto parts.

So if you want a genuine piece of history and want a decent war prize that's a shooter or a non firing wall hanger go to www.akfiles.com for a how-to on AK reconstruction and then try www.DPHarms.com for a nice rifle kit.

It seems today's College students can't balance a checkbook, compare credit card offers or buy food by the pound vs. by the ounce.

My kids could do this at age 8 but then again they were not being taught by tree hugging Leftists that told them, "It's OK, all answers are right....we just want you to feel good about yourself" while stifling those old style schooling techniques such as GRADES and COMPETITION.

Jeez...even spelling bees are forbidden these days as someone's 'feelings' might get hurt.

Gosh I hate it. Several thousand bands all calling themselves some version of 'Joyful Noise' or some such crap. I'd rather park a bullet in my head than listen to their drivel that is supported by 'Mainstream Religion'. And to think folks 'tithe' 10% of their money that ends up on a cassette that maybe 100 people will buy. This is foolishness.

One day I heard a cool tune that was in a movie then I heard it on the radio. This band was really great until their record company screwed them. You've heard the story before....BUT...You DO love their music! It's Sixpence None The Richer. The beautiful voice of Leigh Nash is still out there.

And yes, she inspired me and made me take a real look at Christians. She's a cute readhead too and a decent person.

This knucklehead mugs a reporter, uses his credit card(s) to buy hubcabs then goes to the police station to inquire why his face is all over TV.....Then admits to murder. Of course his 'Auntie' says 'He be a good boy'.

Sadly due to Washington D.C. gun laws the victim was (of course) unarmed.

Sacramento's Out Of Iraq Forum Rocks The Capital City
By Nancy Tronaas

Author and media critic Norman Solomon, mother/activist Cindy Sheehan, and actor Sean Penn.
Photo by Bill Lackemacher IV
Sacramento, CA - January 7, 2006--On Saturday, January 7, anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan, author David Dionisi, 4th Congressional District candidate Charles Brown, and surprise guests--academy-award winning Sean Penn and author Norm Solomon spoke to a packed SEIU hall in Sacramento, California. With nearly 200 people inside and a large overflow crowd gathered out on the sidewalk, Sacramentans are demonstrating their impatience and frustration with U.S. involvement in Iraq.

Dave Dionisi, author of American Hiroshima and former U.S. military intelligence officer, provided insight on pre-9-11 intelligence. This information should have been utilized to prevent the attacks on the World Trade Center. He also discussed U.S. foreign policy driven by the combination of controlling oil reserves in the Middle East in league with the U.S. military-industrial machine that has promoted war to support corporate profits.

The next speaker was Charles Brown, USAF Retired Lt. Colonel, and Democratic candidate for the 4th Congressional District in California. He is running against incumbent Republican John Doolittle. Charles expressed concerns about George W. Bush's efforts to erode the Constitution and the administration's usurpation of Congressional power. Brown stressed as voters, we must continue to support candidates who will effect changes in Congress in order to take back our country and restore the rule of law

Welcomed with a standing ovation, Cindy Sheehan and co-founder of Gold Star Families for Peace gave a rousing talk. She stressed the need to impeach this administration as war criminals who continue to lie to the American public about pre-war Iraq intelligence. She also contends that Pres. Bush's assertions about pulling the U.S. troops out of Iraq would lead to chaos are a part of a calculated strategy to mislead the American public. Cindy reminded the audience that we all need to take responsibility for Iraq—as we elected the officials who ultimately allowed the invasion and occupation. We have the power to remove them from office. Cindy emphasized we must exit Iraq now to save precious lives. After expressing her support for a Dept. of Peace, Cindy concluded that she'd like to create a U.S. Dept. of History, with herself as the first secretary.

Actor Sean Penn added to the enthusiasm of the day by stressing that all of the nation's anti-war activism was taking hold and was starting to work—while admitting that the stress of living under the current administration was making it tough for him to quit smoking. Stating that he "was not a pacifist on the inside", he was moved to be one on the outside for the sake of his children and grandchildren's future. He said we have to fight for everything we have.

A Q & A session followed a brief summary of current pending legislation authored by Bush opponents. The invited speakers deftly fielded questions on the economics of war, the politics of foreign policy, and the power of resistance.

Perhaps the most unforgettable moment occurred when Jesse Dyen, Camp Casey's beloved sound guy and songwriter, played his guitar and sang "Sons and Daughters", the beautiful and plaintive anthem that was born in Crawford during those hot August nights. Before he sang, Jesse asked the audience which direction southeast was. He explained that when the song was sung every night at Camp Casey, they always faced Bush's ranch. The emotion in his song was reflected and magnified by the packed hall. It was aching and palpable.

The program was moderated by Bill Durston, President of the Sacramento Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility. Bill wrapped up the meeting by telling the audience ideas for how they can get involved in resisting the war. He encouraged everyone to take part in the National Call In Day for January 9th. We can't imagine anyone in attendance wasn't motivated to keep the energy going!

This Sacramento Out of Iraq Town Hall meeting was sponsored by the Sacramento Coalition to End the War, Sacramento for Democracy, Progressive Democrats of America and Peace in the Precincts.